Soil Acidity and Liming

Production Practices

Soil Acidity and Liming

Soil pH impacts almost all facets of crop production. Soil acidity, soil pH < 5.5, in particular has negative consequences on forage production, grain yield, herbicide effectiveness, and nutrient use. The cost to correct soil acidity, however, can be quite high, commonly $25 to $60 per acre. This upfront cost is often a stumbling block for those who want to correct soil acidity but do not own the land. What many may not realize is that lime is a long term investment; one lime application will positively impact production for four to eight years. Because of this, many fields, which are under short term leases, have gone neglected in terms of soil pH. However, as other input costs such as herbicide and fertilizer costs rise, liming becomes more and more economically viable. The biggest benefits of liming are improved yields and increased revenue.

Oklahoma Soil Acidity and Liming Facts

There are tolerant varieties of winter wheat and canola, but not the other crops.